John Street Condo Design Presentation

Back in December 2012, the Brooklyn Bridge Park issued a request for proposals to develop the 1 John Street building, the section of John Street between Adams and Pearl Street of the park for residential development. Con Edison sold the 3.4 acres between John Street and the East River that it has owend for half a century in January 2013. Con Edison says its total investment in the property over the years is about $600,000, but the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation has agreed to pay $9.2 million for it. Revenue from a 96-year lease on the land under the building would help pay for the purchase.

Curbed reported that there are 11 condo designs that were presented with “the stated goals of the project to “enliven the northern entrance of the park,” build “high-quality, visually appealing residential development,” and “seamlessly integrate the park and the surrounding community.” The site allows for a maximum height of 130 feet, up to 130 residential units (101,000 sq ft of residential space), ground floor retail, and up to 110 parking spaces. The winning respondents will be selected this summer. (Side note: One of the bidders plans to use crowdfunding to get the community involved in investing up to $1 million in the retail component of the development.)

22 Comment

They all look pretty awful…since when did flood damage protection mean the building should be a giant, 1990’s-eque, glass block that looks like it’s uncomfortably floating above the street?

Do people think it gives the illusion of an elevated building protected from the water? It still has program on the ground floor; lobby, retail, etc.

Here is what I don’t understand: If people think the neighborhood is beautiful, why then when they design new buildings for it do they look nothing like the neighborhood they consider beautiful? I don’t mean to imply buildings should pretend to be old…but there is a middle ground. 205 Water St does a good job of this…no one would mistake the building for an 1800’s factory, but it blends in seamlessly with the street.

They all look pretty awful…since when did flood damage protection mean the building should be a giant, 1990’s-eque, glass block that looks like it’s uncomfortably floating above the street?

Do people think it gives the illusion of an elevated building protected from the water? It still has program on the ground floor; lobby, retail, etc.

Here is what I don’t understand: If people think the neighborhood is beautiful, why then when they design new buildings for it do they look nothing like the neighborhood they consider beautiful? I don’t mean to imply buildings should pretend to be old…but there is a middle ground. 205 Water St does a good job of this…no one would mistake the building for an 1800’s factory, but it blends in seamlessly with the street.

Couldn’t have said it better MJ. None of the new projects in this area even make an attempt at fitting the very aesthetic that everyone claims to love about the nabe unless they are an existing structure. 205 Water seems to be the anomaly.

Couldn’t have said it better MJ. None of the new projects in this area even make an attempt at fitting the very aesthetic that everyone claims to love about the nabe unless they are an existing structure. 205 Water seems to be the anomaly.

Team 1’s plan is anything but a box…not responding at all to the needs of the site on the street level. There are all sorts of random curves and angles that don’t respond to any input from the surrounding area.

Team 1’s plan is anything but a box…not responding at all to the needs of the site on the street level. There are all sorts of random curves and angles that don’t respond to any input from the surrounding area.

I think the location is great because residents can at least enjoy the fresh air and sceneries. They can also do exercises like jogging or strolling around the great spot. The designs of the building must be changed though because it doesn’t fit the place. It is just too executive-looking for a residential building.

I think the location is great because residents can at least enjoy the fresh air and sceneries. They can also do exercises like jogging or strolling around the great spot. The designs of the building must be changed though because it doesn’t fit the place. It is just too executive-looking for a residential building.

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